US9925893B1 - Infant support seat with head relief for preventing contact injuries - Google Patents

Abstract

An infant seat assembly that greatly reduces the incidences of contact sores, balding and/or cranial deformations on an infant's head. The assembly includes a seating unit. A backrest is connected to the seating unit. The backrest defines a relief having an area of at least seven square inches so that it can cradle the back of an infant's head without concentrating the point of contact. The relief is positioned at a height above the seating surface that is manually adjustable. In this manner, an infant can be seated and the infant's head supported without concentrating contact forces at the center of the infant's head. The seat assembly can also be made to be a bouncer seat by interconnecting the backrest to the seating unit using torsion springs. A unique angle of inclination adjustment mechanism is provided that enables the backrest to be reclined relative the seating surface.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION1. Field of the Invention

In general, the present invention relates to chairs and seats that are designed to support infants and small children. More particularly, the present invention relates to seats with spring-loaded backrests that enable an infant to bounce while remaining seated and supported.

2. Prior Art Description

Newborn infants lack the strength to stand or even to roll over. Accordingly, newborn infants must be carried from place to place. When not being carried, the newborn child is placed in a crib, baby stroller of similar safe support.

However, within a few months of being born, infants develop enough muscle tone to turn over and otherwise move their bodies. It is typically during this stage of development that an infant is “buckled” or otherwise restrained into a seat or stroller.

Being retrained in a seat, stroller or similar structure causes some problems if done for prolonged periods of time. In extreme cases, infants can develop contact sores or even cranial deformations. However, what is much more common is an infant developing a bald spot on the back of his/her head where hair growth is inhibited by constant contact with a surface. Many baby seats and strollers are heavily padded to prevent contact problems. However, the heavy padding makes the stroller and carriers hot, especially during warm weather. As a result, heavily padded seats can be uncomfortable or even dangerous, depending upon the temperature.

A common baby seat used to hold infants that have just developed enough muscle tone to move is a “bouncer seat”. A bouncer seat is a lightweight seat that has a backrest that is spring loaded. In this manner, when a baby leans back against the backrest, the backrest can yield slightly to the weight and force of the baby. This gives the seat the ability to bounce. It also helps alleviate the forces that contact the back of an infant's head as they are seated. Many different prior art bouncer seat designs are on the marketplace. Such prior art bouncer seat designs are exemplified by U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2011/0127810 to Lee, entitled Collapsible Infant Bouncer.

Although the spring of a bouncer seat can alleviate the contact forces experienced by the back of an infant's head, contact still occurs between the infant's head and the backrest of the seat. This contact can cause aggravate injuries, cause head flattening and/or create hair loss. However, a head support must be provided since an infant lacks the muscle tone required to support his/her own head. A paradoxical problem therefore occurs where an infant's head must be supported, without the infant's head contacting a head support.

A need therefore exists for a seat that can support an infant in an upright position and provide full head support to the infant without causing contact injuries to the infant's head. This need is met by the present invention as described and claimed below.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is an infant seat assembly that greatly reduces the incidences of contact sores, balding and/or cranial deformations on an infant's head. The assembly includes a seating unit. The seating unit has a seating surface upon which an infant can sit. A backrest is connected to the seating unit. The backrest defines a relief having an area of at least seven square inches so that it can cradle the back of an infant's head without concentrating contact forces in the middle of the infant's head. The relief is positioned at a height above the seating surface that is manually adjustable. In this manner, an infant can be seated and the infant's head properly cradled by the relief. The adjustability enables this alignment to be maintained as the infant grows into a toddler.

The seat assembly provided can also be made to be a bouncer seat by interconnecting the backrest to the seating unit using torsion springs. A unique angle of inclination adjustment mechanism is provided that enables the backrest to be reclined relative the seating surface while maintaining both the ability to bounce and the proper alignment of the infant's head with the relief in the backrest.

The presence of the relief and the ability to have the backrest incline allows for optimal head and neck alignment while supporting the natural curve of the spine. This enables an infant to better, breathe, swallow and suck, thus making it easier to feed the infant.

Lateral head supports are provided on the sides of the head relief. The lateral head supports are both adjustable in position and selectively removable. When in place, the lateral supports align the infant's head with the midline of the backrest and the relief. The lateral head supports therefore keep the infant straight, thereby ensuring proper airway alignment and maximizing breathing efficiency while seated in the seat assembly.

The seat assembly comes with a removable cushioned cover. This provides cushioning and style to the seat assembly as well as providing contact surfaces that can be easily laundered. The seat assembly can also come with a tray, a toy mobile, and other auxiliary items that can be selectively added to the seat assembly if desired.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a better understanding of the present invention, reference is made to the following description of an exemplary embodiment thereof, considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of an infant seat assembly;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the embodiment ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the embodiment ofFIG. 2 shown along section line3-3 to illustrate the height adjustment mechanism for the backrest; and

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the embodiment ofFIG. 2 shown along section line4-4 to illustrate the angle of inclination adjustment mechanism for the backrest.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Although the present invention infant support seat can be embodied in many ways, only one exemplary embodiment is illustrated and described. The embodiment is selected in order to set forth the best mode contemplated for the invention. The illustrated embodiment, however, is merely exemplary and should not be considered a limitation when interpreting the scope of the appended claims.

Referring to bothFIG. 1 andFIG. 2, the present inventioninfant seat assembly10 is shown. Theinfant seat assembly10 can be covered in aremovable fabric cover12. Thefabric cover12 provides padding to theinfant seat assembly10. Thefabric cover12 also can be periodically removed and laundered to maintain the cleanliness of the overallinfant seat assembly10. Thefabric cover12 also contains the various straps and supports needed to secure an infant to theinfant seat assembly10.

Under thefabric cover12, theinfant seat assembly10 includes aseating unit14 and abackrest16. Arelief18 is formed in thebackrest16 in the area where an infant's head would rest when seated in theinfant seat assembly10. Therelief18 can be a complete opening that passes through thebackrest16 or a concave depression, such as is illustrated. A corresponding opening orpocket20 is also formed into thefabric cover12. In this manner, thefabric cover12 conforms to therelief18 in thebackrest16 when in place. Thepocket20 in thefabric cover12 may have a paddedrim22. The diameter of therelief18 in thebackrest16 and thepocket20 in thefabric cover12 is preferably between three and six inches. Accordingly, the area defined by therelief18 and the alignedpocket20 are at least seven square inches. However, the area is not so large as to allow even the smallest of infant heads to pass fully into therelief18.

Therelief18 in thebackrest16 and the alignedpocket20 in thefabric cover12 receive a portion of the infant's head. The back of the infant's head partially passes into thepocket20 andrelief18. However, contact is not limited to the back of the infant's head at its center. The peripheral area surrounding the back of the head is contacted by the paddedrim22 surrounding thefabric cover pocket20 and by the material within thepocket20. This creates a large area of contact that distributes contact forces and therefore reduces the likelihood of any contact injury from occurring. The large circle of contact also ensures that no forces are experienced by the infant's head that may result in cranial deformations and/or excess hair loss.

Therelief18 in thebackrest16 and the alignedpocket20 of thefabric cover12 are positioned a predetermined height above theseating unit14. As will be explained, thebackrest16 is adjustable so that the position of therelief18 and thepocket20 relative theseating unit14 can be selectively adjusted. This enables a person to adjust the position of the alignedrelief18 andpocket20 so that they properly orient with the center of an infant's head. This alignment can therefore be maintained while the infant grows into a toddler. It also enables theinfant seat assembly10 to be used with infants of different sizes.

Two lateral head supports24 are provided, wherein onelateral head support24 is positioned on either side of the alignedrelief18 andpocket20. The lateral head supports24 can be manufactured as part of thebackrest16 or as part of thefabric cover12. However, in the illustrated embodiment, the lateral head supports24 are shown as separate parts that are mounted to thebackrest16. Thebackrest16 includesslots25 on either side of therelief18. Theslots25 receive mountingbolts27 that extend from the lateral head supports24. This enables the lateral head supports24 to be selectively positioned at different distances from therelief16. A lateral head supports24 can therefore be adjusted in position as an infant grows. Accordingly, the lateral head supports24 help keep an infant's head medially aligned with therelief18 in thebackrest16 by gently guiding the rear of the infant's head over therelief18. The lateral head supports24 prevent an infant from leaning his/her head at an angle that would prevent the infant's head from passing into thebackrest relief18 and thefabric cover pocket20.

Theseating unit14 contains aseating surface26. When an infant is placed in theinfant seat assembly10, the infant's bottom rests upon theseating surface26 atop thefabric cover12. Abase28 is provided below theseating surface26. Thebase28 is wide enough to support theinfant seat assembly10 upon any flat surface. Furthermore, thebase28 may contain strap connectors and/orstrap slots32 that enable the base28 to be secured to a chair or similar elevated surface.

Auxiliary items, such as afood tray31 or a play mobile (not shown) may be provided. The auxiliary items are attached toconnectors35 on theseating unit14. The auxiliary items can be added or removed as needed.

Abackrest receptacle30 is provided. Thebackrest receptacle30 receives and engages thebackrest16 in a variety of vertical positions. In this manner, the height of thebackrest relief18 above theseating surface26 can be selectively adjusted for infants of different heights. Referring toFIG. 3 in conjunction withFIG. 2, it can be seen that lockingarms34 are attached to therear surface35 of thebackrest16. The lockingarms34 are mounted in the horizontal plane and are eccentrically connected to a wheel36. Accordingly, when the wheel36 is rotated, the lockingarms34 can be selectively retracted or extended. Anadjustment rod38 is attached to the wheel36. Ahandle40 is affixed to theadjustment rod38. When thehandle40 is pulled, the wheel36 rotates and the lockingarms34 retract. Conversely, when thehandle40 is released, aspring42 returns theadjustment rod38 to its original position. This turns the wheel36 and returns the lockingarms34 to their original extended positions.

Thebackrest receptacle30 receives thebackrest16. Thebackrest receptacle30 has a series of lockingdepressions44 on either side of thebackrest16. The lockingdepressions44 are at different distances from the below lyingseating surface26. Accordingly, by inserting thebackrest16 into thebackrest receptacle30 and engaging the lockingdepressions44 with the lockingarms34, thebackrest16 can be locked at different heights within thebackrest receptacle30. The result is that thebackrest16 can be adjusted into different positions relative theseating surface26. This enables thebackrest relief18 to be raised or lowered relative theseating surface26.

Thebackrest receptacle30 is connected to theseating unit14 by two torsion springs46. Eachtorsion spring46 has afirst arm48 arm that is anchored to thebackrest receptacle30. Each of the torsion springs46 also has an oppositesecond arm50 that interconnects with theseating unit14. As a result, the torsion springs46 are the only elements that interconnect thebackrest receptacle30 with theseating unit14. Thebackrest receptacle30 holds thebackrest16. Accordingly, thebackrest16 and thebackrest receptacle30 can bounce against the spring bias of the torsion springs46 relative thestationary seating unit14.

Referring toFIG. 4 in conjunction withFIG. 2, it can be seen that eachtorsion spring46 has awound section52, wherein thefirst arm48 and thesecond arm50 extend from thewound section52. Thefirst arm48 is anchored within thebackrest receptacle30. Thewound section52 passes around apivot post54 that is formed as part of theseating unit14. Thesecond arm50 of eachtorsion spring46 extends into aninclination adjustment mechanism56. Inside theinclination adjustment mechanism56, there is anadjustment block58. A spring loaded lockingpin60 extends rearwardly from theadjustment block58. The spring loaded lockingpin60 can be retracted by manually moving arelease lever62. Alocking pad64 is affixed to the end of thesecond arm50, wherein thelocking pad64 and thesecond arm50 of eachtorsion spring46 move in unison. Thelocking pad64 contains a plurality ofopenings66 that can be engaged by the lockingpin60. In this manner, it will be understood that thetorsion spring46 can be rotated about thepivot post54 by moving thesecond arm50 of thetorsion spring46 up or down in the direction indicated byarrow68. At various positions, thesecond arm50 can be locked in place by the lockingpin60.

The relative angle between thefirst arm48 and thesecond arm50 of eachtorsion spring46 remains constant, provided thetorsion spring46 is not deformed by a force. This relative angle is preferably between 95 degrees and 120 degrees. As thewound section52 of eachtorsion spring46 rotates about thepivot post54, thefirst arm48 and thesecond arm50 move together and the relative angle is maintained. As such, when thesecond arm50 of thetorsion spring46 is moved up and down in the directions indicated byarrow68, the relative angle between thefirst arm48 and thesecond arm50 remains the same. However, the angle of inclination A1 between thefirst arm48 and the horizontal plane changes. Thefirst arm48 is anchored to thebackrest receptacle30. Thebackrest receptacle30 receives and supports thebackrest16. As a result, it will be understood that the angle of inclination A1 for thebackrest16 depends upon the angle of thefirst arm48 of thetorsion spring46. Accordingly, by adjusting theinclination adjustment mechanism56, the angle of inclination A1 provided to thebackrest16 can be selectively changed. This enables a user to incline an infant from an upright position to an inclined position.

Since thebackrest receptacle30 and thebackrest16 are supported solely by the torsion springs46, it will be understood that thebackrest16 andbackrest receptacle30 are free to bounce against the resistance of the torsion springs46 regardless of the angle of inclination A1. The ability to bounce is therefore maintained in the upright position, the reclined position and at all positions there between.

Referring now to all figures, it will be understood that an infant is strapped into the infantsupport seat assembly10 using the strapping17 on thefabric cover12. Once an infant is secured in place, the back of the infant's head should be resting over thepocket20 in thefabric cover12 and theunderlying relief18 in thebackrest16. If the infant's head does not align with therelief18 andpocket20, thebackrest16 can be adjusted in height to ensure proper head position.

With the infant in theinfant seat assembly10, the angle of inclination A1 for thebackrest16 can be selectively adjusted. Accordingly, the infant can be moved from an upright position to an inclined position. As the angle of inclination A1 changes for thebackrest16, the position of the infant's head on thebackrest16 may also change. It will be understood that a user can adjust thebackrest16 to ensure that the back of the infant's head rests upon thebackrest opening18, regardless of the angle of inclination A1. The result is aninfant seat assembly10 that performs as a bouncer, yet is adjustable from an upright position to an inclined position. Furthermore, regardless of the adjusted position, no contact occurs between the back center of the infant's head and any surface. As a result, issues of balding, contact soars and cranial deformations are greatly reduced.

It will be understood that the embodiment of the present invention that is illustrated and described is merely exemplary and that a person skilled in the art can make many variations to that embodiment. For instance, the shape of the seating unit and backrest can be altered as a matter of design. Likewise, many other mechanical adjustment designs other than those illustrated can be used to adjust the height of the backrest and/or the angle of inclination associated with the backrest. All such embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the present invention as defined by the claims.

Claims (19)

What is claimed is:

1. An infant seat assembly, comprising:

a seating unit containing a seating surface upon which an infant can sit;

a backrest connected to said seating unit, wherein said backrest defines a relief having a diameter of between three inches and six inches disposed therein, wherein said relief is positioned a predetermined distance from said seating surface;

an adjustment mechanism for selectively adjusting said predetermined distance so that said relief is positioned to receive the head of an infant seated on said seating surface.

2. The assembly according toclaim 1, further including torsion springs disposed between said backrest and said seating unit that enable said backrest to bounce relative said seating unit.

3. The assembly according toclaim 1, wherein said backrest is oriented at an angle of inclination relative said seating surface.

4. The assembly according toclaim 1, wherein said angle of inclination is manually adjustable.

5. The assembly according toclaim 1, further including lateral head supports disposed on opposite sides of said relief, wherein said lateral head supports guide an infant's head against said relief when the infant is seated on said seating surface.

6. The assembly according toclaim 1, further including a fabric cover that covers said backrest.

7. The assembly according toclaim 6, wherein said fabric cover contains a pocket that aligns with said relief in said backrest.

8. The assembly according toclaim 1, further including a backrest receptacle that receives said backrest, wherein said adjustment mechanism selectively alters the position of said backrest within said backrest receptacle.

9. The assembly according toclaim 8, further including a torsion spring that interconnects said backrest receptacle to said seating unit.

10. The assembly according toclaim 9, wherein said torsion spring has a first arm that connects to said backrest receptacle and a second arm that connects to said seating unit.

11. The assembly according toclaim 10, wherein said torsion spring has a coiled section and said seating unit includes a pivot post around which said coiled section is free to rotate.

12. The assembly according toclaim 10, wherein said second arm of each said torsion spring attaches to said seating unit in one of a plurality of adjustable positions.

13. An infant seat assembly, comprising:

a seating unit containing a seating surface upon which an infant can sit;

a backrest having a head relief formed therein, wherein said head relief has a diameter of between three inches and six inches;

a backrest receptacle that selectively receives said backrest in one of a plurality of adjustable positions, wherein each of said plurality of adjustable positions places said head relief at a different distance from said seating surface; and

at least one torsion spring having a first arm and a second arm, wherein said first arm is connected to said backrest receptacle and said second arm is connected to said seating unit.

14. The assembly according toclaim 13, wherein said backrest is oriented at an angle of inclination relative said seating surface that is manually adjustable.

15. The assembly according toclaim 13, wherein said relief has a diameter of between three inches and six inches, wherein said relief receives the head of an infant seated on said seating surface.

16. The assembly according toclaim 15, further including a mechanism for selecting among said plurality of adjustable positions.

17. The assembly according toclaim 13, wherein said second arm of said torsion spring attaches to said seating unit in one of a plurality of adjustable positions.

18. An infant seat assembly, comprising:

a seating unit containing a seating surface upon which an infant can sit;

a backrest that defines an opening having a diameter of between three inches and six inches, said backrest having retractable locking arms;

a handle supported by said backrest that retracts said retractable locking arms when pulled;

a backrest receptacle connected to said seating unit, said backrest receptacle having locking depressions at different distances from said seating surface, wherein said retractable locking arms selectively engage said locking depressions to attach said backrest to said backrest receptacle at one of multiple possible positions, wherein said opening is a different distance from said seating surface in each of said multiple possible positions.

19. The infant seat assembly according toclaim 18, wherein said backrest is disposed at an angle of inclination relative said seating surface and said assembly further includes an adjustment mechanism for selectively adjusting said angle of inclination.

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